Abstract: A system for scenario context-aware voice assistant auto-activation is provided. The system includes a microphone configured for providing data related to a word or a phrase spoken by a user, an operational device, and a computerized scenario context-aware voice assistant controller. The controller includes programming to recognize the word or the phrase within the data and identify a scenario context of the word or the phrase. The controller further includes programming to utilize the scenario context to associate the word or the phrase with a scenario context feature trigger configured for indicating a desired command of the user and command the operational device based upon the scenario context feature trigger associated with the word or the phrase.

Abstract: Software code is tested to determine relative performance of the software code. Successfully executing a test may be used to flag problems in a code repository to be corrected or criteria for accepting code for acceptance to the repository. To further evaluate test results, the test may be run several times on the same code version to determine a test result stability score describing how the test results may vary in different executions, such as a frequency that the code passes the test. Based on the score, additional tests may be run to further refine test result stability score. To evaluate time-variance of testing, when a code version fails a test, a previous version of the code may be run with the same test and the results compared to determine if a new regression was introduced.

Abstract: Assistance can be provided to users of AVs based on user sentiments. A system may receive a request for assistance from a user of an AV (e.g., a passenger of the AV). The system may also receive sensor data that is captured by a sensor suite of the AV from detecting the user, the AV, or another object. The system determines a sentiment of the user based on the sensor data. The system may input the sensor data into a machine learning model and the model outputs information indicating the user's sentiment. The system can determine who, when, or how to service the user's request based on the user's sentiment. The system may assign the user's request to an agent who can provide the assistance. The system can further provide guidance (e.g., suggested content of a conversation with the user) to the agent based on the user's sentiment.

Abstract: An integrated electrified propulsion system for a vehicle includes a single electric machine, a mechanical geartrain, a rechargeable energy storage device, an integrated cooling system, and a power electronics system. The single electric machine, the mechanical geartrain, the integrated cooling system, the rechargeable energy storage device, and the power electronics system are arranged in a single housing. The single electric machine is rotatably coupled to the mechanical geartrain to transfer mechanical power therebetween.

Abstract: Assistance can be provided to AV users through projection of graphical figures. A system may receive a request for assistance from a user of an AV. The system assigns the request to an agent who can assist the user. The system further provides a graphical representation (e.g., an avatar) of the agent to a device that can project the graphical representation to the user. The user can have a conversation with the graphical representation, e.g., based on information provided by the agent. The system can also provide an audio filter to the device for modifying an audio content presented by the device so that the modified audio content appears as if it is made by the graphical representation. The device may be a part of the AV or a client device of the user that can present VR, AR, or MR content. The device may be mobile.

Abstract: A system for optimizing ownership cost of a fleet having electric vehicles includes a command unit adapted to selectively execute a simulation module, a sampling module and an optimization module. The command unit is configured to construct a multi-agent model based at least partially on historical fleet trip data and mobility pattern data of the fleet. Route data for a set of fleet tasks is obtained, including charging infrastructure data. The command unit is configured to simulate different configurations of the electric vehicles carrying out the set of fleet tasks over a predefined period, via the simulation module, based in part on the multi-agent model and the route data. The command unit is configured to determine an optimal configuration from the different configurations of the electric vehicles, via the optimization module. The optimal configuration minimizes investment and operational costs of the fleet.

Abstract: A self-activating fault protection circuit for an electrical charging system for an on-vehicle rechargeable energy storage device that includes a DC-DC boost converter is described. The self-activating fault protection circuit includes, in one embodiment, an electrical connector including a positive cable and a negative cable, high-voltage electric power bus, and a self-activating fault protection circuit including a high-voltage diode. The DC-DC boost converter is electrically connected to the rechargeable energy storage device via the high-voltage electric power bus, and the electrical connector is electrically connected to the DC-DC boost converter via the positive cable and the negative cable. The high-voltage diode is arranged in the negative cable between the electrical connector and the DC-DC boost converter.

Abstract: A dual deflection ring system includes a pair of components that rotate relative to one another about an axis of rotation. One or more deflection rings are disposed between the components. The deflection ring(s) include two sets of pockets configured to provide two levels of compressibility in-series between the components. The two sets of pockets project radially relative to the axis of rotation and are compressible between the components.

Abstract: A router preview platform can provide animated route previews to users. The route preview platform may generate an animation in response to a request for animated route preview. The animation provides a preview of a navigation route. The navigation route may be generated based on information indicated in the request, such as locations, user preferences, etc. The animation may be generated based on sensor data captured by AVs. The animation may include a graphical representation of a real-world object that has been detected by a sensor of an AV during an operation of the AV in an environment surrounding the real-world object. The AV's operation in the environment may be conducted in accordance with an instruction from the router preview platform. The graphical representation is generated based on sensor data from the AV. The graphical representation may be generated further based on sensor data from multiple AVs.

Abstract: The present disclosure a gel polymer electrolyte for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The gel polymer electrolyte includes a polymer host, a liquid electrolyte, and greater than or equal to about 0.1 wt. % to less than or equal to about 10 wt. % of a sulfolene additive. In certain variations, the gel polymer electrolyte also includes greater than or equal to about 0.1 wt. % to less than or equal to about 5 wt. % of an ethylene carbonate additive. The ethylene carbonate additive may be selected from the group consisting of: vinyl ethylene carbonate (VEC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), vinylene carbonate, and combinations thereof. In each instance, the lithium electrolyte may include a first lithium salt, a second lithium salt that is distinct from the first lithium salt, and a third lithium salt that is distinct from the first lithium salt and the second lithium salt.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a continuous driving path for a vehicle include: (i) automatically controlling movement of the vehicle along a path while prioritizing the movement so as to minimize vehicle maneuvers, via a processor; (ii) obtaining data including location information as to a location of the vehicle and map information pertaining to the location as the vehicle is travelling autonomously via by the processor; (iii) determining, via the processor, when a decision is needed with respect to further travel of the vehicle, based on the location information and the map information; (iv) requesting, via the processor, driver input as to a driver preference of a driver for movement of the vehicle with regard to the decision; (v) receiving, via one or more sensors, the driver input including the driver preference; and (vi) determining, via the processor, the continuous driving path based on the driver preference.

Abstract: A pouch battery cell module includes a battery cell stack having first and second pouch battery cells and a thermally conductive and compliant material arranged between the battery cells. The module also includes a module container housing the first and second pouch battery cells and providing structural support therefor and including first, second, third, and fourth lateral walls, with each wall defining at least one coolant passage. Each of the first through fourth lateral walls is configured to direct out of the battery module container debris and gases emitted by at least one of the first and second pouch battery cells undergoing a thermal runaway event. The module container also includes non-structural fifth and sixth sides configured to eject to an external environment the debris and gases directed by the first through fourth lateral walls. A method of assembling a pouch battery cell module is also disclosed.

Abstract: Robotic systems and methods are provided with an end effector having lockable compliance. A robotic system for manipulating a workpiece includes an arm having a pair of sections connected by a joint assembly, with a lock disposed in the joint assembly. A gripper is connected on the arm and is configured to alternately grip and release the workpiece. A controller operates the lock to alternately lock and unlock the joint assembly. The gripper holds the workpiece during a deformation of the workpiece, while the controller may unlock the lock to allow movement of the joint assembly to relieve forces on the arm arising during a deformation of the workpiece.

Abstract: A hairpin conductor includes two wire segments each having respective first and second ends and a respective middle region. The segments are disposed in a side-by-side orientation such that their first ends are proximate each other and their second ends are proximate each other. The first ends are welded to each other and the second ends are welded to each other, or the middle regions are welded to each other, thereby providing a welded wire assembly, which is bent such that the two wire segments are bent equally to form the hairpin conductor. The hairpin conductor has a primary bend in the middle regions to form an apex thereat and first and second secondary bends in the two wire segments nearer to the apex than to the first and second ends to form respective first and second shoulders thereat. A method of forming the hairpin conductor is also presented.

Abstract: An article storage and retrieval system includes a body having a first side wall, a second side wall and a support surface. The support surface establishes a first article retrieval zone and a second article retrieval zone. A first door support assembly is arranged at the body. A second door support assembly arranged at the body. A roller door is mounted between the first door support assembly and the second door support assembly. The roller door includes an opening. A motor, operatively connected to one of the first door support assembly and the second door support assembly, selectively operates to shift the roller door relative to the body. A controller activates the motor to shift the roller door and selectively align the opening with one of the first article retrieval zone and the second article retrieval zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting a traffic object outside of a vehicle and controlling the vehicle. The systems and methods receive perception data from a sensor system included in the vehicle, determine a focused Region Of Interest (ROI) in the perception data, scale the perception data of the at least one focused ROI, process the scaled perception data of the focused ROI using a neural network (NN)-based traffic object detection algorithm to provide traffic object detection data, and control at least one vehicle feature based, in part, on the traffic object detection data.

Abstract: A vehicle seat inter-connected tether assembly includes a first tether, a second tether and a vertically configured third tether positioned between the first tether and the second tether fixedly coupled to and connecting the first tether to the second tether. A connector positioned at distal ends of the first tether and the second tether is configured to couple the first tether and the second tether to opposed seat frame members of a vehicle seat frame.

Abstract: A system includes a primary control module, a stability status module, and a supervisory control module. The primary control module is configured to determine at least one control action for at least one of an electronic limited slip differential and an aerodynamic actuator of a vehicle based on a driver command. The stability status module is configured to determine whether at least one component of the vehicle is stable or unstable based on an input from a sensor on the vehicle. The at least one component includes at least one of a vehicle body, a front axle, a rear axle, front wheels, and rear wheels. The supervisory control module is configured to adjust the at least one control action when the at least one component is unstable.

Abstract: A distributed computing system for determining road surface traction capacity for roadways located in a common spatio-temporal zone includes a plurality of vehicles that each include a plurality of sensors and systems that collect and analyze a plurality of parameters related to road surface conditions in the common spatio-temporal zone. The distributed computing system also includes one or more central computers in wireless communication with each of the plurality of vehicles. The one or more central computers execute instructions to determine a road surface traction capacity value for the common spatio-temporal zone.